December
Tuesday 3 December, 1991 Astronomy Classroom 23
Harry was taking a pop-quiz given by Professor Sinistra when Minerva came striding in a rather happy mood. She spoke quietly with the teacher while pointing to Harry. He of course, didn't notice this, as he was busy trying to remember all the names of the moons of Jupiter. Professor Sinistra called for the end of the quiz and collected all the test papers. She then turned to Harry and instructed him to accompany Professor McGonagall to her office. He glanced up in surprise but nodded his understanding. After collecting his gear, he followed behind. Along the way he asked her what was going on but she shook her head and remained quiet.
Upon entrance, he saw that there was someone else in the room waiting for them. He was a young-ish man with sandy brown hair, tired but hopeful eyes and several scars on his face. The man's eyes lit up when he spotted Harry.
"Hello Harry. I'm relieved to see you again. My name is Remus Lupin."
Harry perked up when he heard the man's name. He had longed to meet the man in person to find out why he had abandoned Harry to the 'tender mercies' of the Dursleys. Through their conversation, the revelations came that Remus had no choice in the matter because of Dumbledore's declaration that Harry be separated from the magical world for 'his own safety and to have a normal childhood away from the fame and excess' and because of Remus' 'furry little problem.'
"Furry little problem?" inquired Harry, "What does that mean?"
Remus snorted, "I know. It makes it sound like I have a badly behaving rabbit of some sort. No, I have a condition that forces me to isolate myself once a month… I'm… a werewolf." He tensed while waiting for Harry's reaction.
Harry just gave him a raised eyebrow and a puzzled look, "That's it? That's not a good enough reason to keep us apart." Remus was perplexed at Harry's blasé attitude. He glanced over at Minerva who was trying rather unsuccessfully to hold back her laughter at the situation.
"I don't understand Harry. Most people would be disgusted by that news." He said.
"Humph, I'm not 'most people,'" replied Harry, "Besides, there's a preventative cure that would allow you to retain your mind during the transformation."
Remus pursed his lips and nodded, "Yes, the Wolfsbane Potion. But it's very expensive and not always readily available." Minerva let out a strangled giggle at the impending answer she knew that Harry was about to give.
Harry smirked at Minerva then turned back to Remus, "You've traveled in the muggle side, right?" Remus nodded, "Have you had to use their medicines?" Remus shrugged and nodded again, "then you should be familiar with the antihistamine known as Benadryll?"
"I've heard of it. Why?" Remus said confusedly.
"Because Benadryll is the muggle alternative to the Wolfsbane potion and a heck of a lot cheaper per dose. The cost of a well-made batch of Wolfsbane would cost you about one hundred fifty Galleons, right? Well, a single dose of Benadryll will cost you only two Sickles and provide the same benefits as well with a strong pain reliever thrown in as well."
The stunned look on Remus' face as realization set in was enough for Minerva to lose her fight with controlling her amusement. She slid off her chair laughing her butt off as Remus struggled to comprehend the implications and possibilities of this news. When she had recovered enough control, she filled him in on Harry's accomplishments and inventions. Remus could only sit there looking dumbfounded while Harry just gave him a shy smile in return.
The three of them continued to talk about Harry's past and also his future plans. With the realization that Remus could now control the werewolf a heck of a lot cheaper and easier than before, he offered to have Harry join him at his home for the Christmas break. Harry glanced over at Minerva for her approval; she nodded her acquiescence and he burst out with a smile. She told him that he would need to let Professor Sprout know about his plans so the arrangements could be made.
They finished up their conversation so Harry could get to lunch while Remus headed home to prepare for Harry's arrival during the break.
Down in the Great Hall…
When Harry arrived at the Great Hall, he found Hermione and told her the great news about his upcoming holiday plans.
"That is great news Harry! I'm happy that you've found someone that can take you away from those awful relatives of yours." She said happily.
"I know. I just hope that the Headmaster won't try to interfere. The man creeps me out with the way he's been acting." Harry replied, "I can only hope that Director Bones can shed some light on his motivations." Just then there was a commotion over at the Gryffindor table. The two of them watched as Draco Malfoy and Ron Weasley started yet another argument over who was entitled to be the 'best friend' of Harry Potter and devolved into trading insults about each other's families.
Raising an eyebrow in bemusement, he looked over at Hermione and shook his head, "You think they'd have learned to stay away from that first topic. I want nothing to do with either of them."
"Peas in a pod, the both of them. I sure hope they eventually grow up," concurred Hermione, "you think we ought to intercede with another potion treatment?"
Harry shook his head negatively, "No. Let Professor McGonagall handle it as part of her job as Deputy Headmistress. As long as they don't come over here and bother me, I want no part of it."
Harry spotted Neville as the boy entered the Great Hall and waved him over, "Neville! How are things going now that you have a proper wand?"
Neville smiled, "Much better thank you. I love it and my skills have greatly improved."
Hermione lazily gestured over to where Ron and Draco were being pulled apart from a minor scuffle, "What set them off this time?"
Neville just rolled his eyes, "No idea but then it doesn't take much to set off Weasley's jealousy. The git has no filter between his mouth and his brain. He's lazy and is constantly trying to get the others to do his homework for him. I'm this close to telling McGonagall about his actions towards the others but I don't want to be known as a snitch. I can't go to our prefect as it's his elder brother, Percy."
Harry shook his head, "I think you should still say something, Neville. If you don't then the problem can't be solved and everyone will just end up being miserable. It's not fair to the others in your house."
"Spoken like a true Hufflepuff, fair play and equality," quipped Hermione with a smirk. Harry playfully bumped her shoulder with his.
"So, Neville. Now that Professor Snape is no longer treating non-Slytherins with contempt… or at least anyone not named Weasley, how are you doing on your potions work?" Harry asked. Professor Snape had long since modified his teaching method to be more…open and instructional on proper equipment usage.
Neville shrugged, "It's going alright, I guess. I'm still nervous around him but I'm getting better. Oh! I wanted to ask you if those bids came through to manufacture the Potioneer's Assistants yet."
Harry nodded, "Yup, just last week. The first batch ought to be on store shelves by the end of December at the earliest or by mid-January at the latest. The store that I contracted to sell them first is Slug and Jiggers, so you should owl them to reserve a copy."
Neville bobbed his head in acknowledgement, "How much do they cost?"
"Six Galleons unless you buy in bulk which I don't think you'd want to bother with." Neville declined with a smirk. "You should've seen the look on Professor Snape's face when I told him the release date. I thought he'd dance a jig right there in class." Harry chuckled at the memory.
Harry turned to Hermione, "Speaking of that journal, how is yours holding up? Any problems that I need to address?"
"Nope, everything is working beautifully. I was thinking of decorating the cover so that way there's no possibility of someone mistaking it for theirs."
"Oh? What are you going to do? Slather a layer of sequins and glitter all over it?" quipped Neville with an exaggerated look of innocence on his face.
"Oh, shush you," mock-glared Hermione, "No, I was thinking of embossing my name on the front cover and using the imprinting lock charm to open only to my magical signature."
"Similar to those on our trunks?" Neville asked and Hermione nodded, "Wow, I didn't know you were that advanced in Charms."
"Ravenclaw, remember? We love to read ahead."
"Uh, Hermione? Why not tell him the truth?" Harry grinned knowingly as he turned back to Neville, "Said locking feature is a standard part of the 'Administration and Security' function in the journal." Hermione just bobbled her head as she looked away from the two boys and sheepishly blushed. Both boys just chuckled at her embarrassment.
Harry wrote to the manufacturers later that evening requesting the first ten Assistants that came off the production line and if he could have numbers one through three with the names 'Severus Snape, Neville Longbottom and Poppy Pomfrey' in gold lettering, respectively as soon as possible. He also told them to take Neville's name off the official request list from the apothecary.
The next day, Harry was waiting for Hermione to join him for lunch in the Great Hall but she was nowhere to be found. He hoped that she was okay and was merely talking to a teacher. Malfoy had been on a tear lately about the muggleborns infesting the school and the need to clean out the 'mudblood filth.' Harry heard it was just a rant that was started because of the results from the latest test in Transfiguration but with that git, who knew what could happen? He pulled out his Assistant and clicked on the 'Administration and Security' tab then brought up a feature that he had developed within the past month, a chat function that allowed text communication between users. He wrote in the dialogue field, 'Where are you? Are you okay? I'm waiting in the Great Hall, Harry.' Then he hit the send button. When Hermione's journal received the text it would vibrate and hopefully she would respond.
It took a few moments but finally his buzzed in return. He opened the cover and saw the message, 'Harry? I'm okay, coming down the Grand Staircase. See you soon. Hermione.' He breathed a sigh of relief and when he spotted her coming down the stairs, he rushed over and brought her into a hug.
"I'm relieved that there wasn't a problem. I thought that Draco would've taken his anger over the results of the last Transfiguration test out on you. I was thinking that maybe I should dose him with Junior Veritiserum and let him try to lie his way out. He'd be glowing pink all day long." Hermione chuckled at the mental image that conjured.
"Thanks for the concern Harry but I can protect myself. He can talk all he wants but he knows that I'm quick on the wand and know a few offensive spells that really hurt. Now tell me about that chat feature. I didn't know that the Assistants could do that."
"I only finished the test version last month and I uploaded it to yours last week. I wasn't sure if it would work but apparently it does. It works on the same principle of what's known in muggle physics as 'quantum entanglement.' You ever hear of it?" he replied and she nodded, "The magical version is called the Protean Charm and is going to be a standard feature in all new Assistants in a new tab called 'Communications.' I'm hoping that with this new feature it will allow Potion Masters, students and anyone else who has the Assistant to share information and ask questions easier. The normal way is to wait for the next issue of Potioneer's Monthly to come out."
Harry eyed her briefly and changed the subject, "So what sort of offensive spells do you know? Care to share them?"
Hermione gave him an evil grin, "Well, I know a spell that acts like a vise grip on a target and the squeeze pressure can be altered with a modifier word. There's the Glacius Charm that causes the target to freeze solid like a block of ice is surrounding it. Now imagine if either one was directed at an annoying boy's…equipment." Harry just flinched and gave her a pained smile.
"Yeah… I can just imagine what the results would be like," he said in a strangled sort of voice, "Have you had to use either on him yet?"
"Not yet, but I'm sure that before I graduate I'll have to introduce him or any other annoying boy to them." She responded with the same evil smirk.
"Have you considered teaching both to other girls so they could protect themselves?" he asked.
Hermione patted him on the shoulder, "Oh, Harry… those two charms are some of the first things girls learn after entering the school." Harry just nodded with the same pained expression on his face.
"Getting back to the chat thing, what's the range of the entanglement?" Hermione inquired curiously.
"Well, the tests have been successful sending and receiving between here at the school and the manufacturing plant in London. I can't imagine why they wouldn't work around the globe but I don't have anyone that has an Assistant that far away. I suggested that one of the managers of the plant take a journal and go on a 'research mission' but I haven't heard back one way or the other." He shrugged noncommittally.
Thursday 5 December, 1991 Conference Room 1E
Harry had received a rather mysterious message during the morning post owl rush. It was a short missive that requested his presence in this very room during the lunch break. Someone with the single name of 'Croaker' signed it. He shrugged his shoulders and figured why not?
At the appointed time, he walked into the room and found that he wasn't alone. A…man…woman…Unspeakable was waiting for him.
"H-Hello, Unspeakable. Will…will Croaker be joining us?" he stammered nervously.
"I am Croaker, Mr. Potter. It's nice to see you again since our last…ahem, meeting."
"What is it that you needed from me?"
Croaker pulled out a rolled up parchment from a pocket and handed it off to Harry, "What you have there is a Writ of Consent that authorizes the Department of Mysteries to search out and destroy the one known as Lord Voldemort or any other sobriquet he might be going by."
Harry read through the Writ and looked back up at Croaker, "Why is this necessary? I mean, I understand the general concept of a Writ… but…."
Croaker nodded understandingly, "When we were interviewing Quirnius Quirrel, we discovered that he was being possessed by the spirit form of Lord Voldemort. Voldemort had learned that the Philosopher's Stone was being held here in the castle and made an attempt to steal it for his own use. By alerting us as you did, we were able to capture the essence of the spirit as well as the body used to contain it. What you hold in your hands will allow you to fulfill a prophecy that was given in the months proceeding your birth. Have you had the opportunity to hear the prophecy?"
"Didn't even know that one existed. Please, go on." Harry growled.
"We were able to use Quirrel as the vessel of the Dark Lord to retrieve the prophecy orb. The collection of said orbs are restricted to those who are listed in the prophecy. Now for the prophecy, it states: 'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches; Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies; And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not; And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives."
"Interesting," Harry slowly drawled out, "So what sort of marker is there to prove that I've completed this prophecy?"
"In the Department of Mysteries, there is a room called 'The Prophecy Hall' where there are orbs that contain a multitude of prophecies. When the orb goes black, the prophecy is completed. By signing that Writ, you are completing the part where it says 'either must die at the hand of the other.' By your hand, you are ordering his death."
Harry nodded thoughtfully for a moment then pulled out a quill and inkpot and signed the Writ. With a golden flash of light, the Writ disappeared and a copy appeared on the table.
"Let me guess," Harry said, "One for my records?" Croaker nodded.
"So what happens if Voldemort turns out not to be the only Dark Lord? Does the orb stay lit?" Harry asked as he folded up his copy of the Writ and put it in his pocket.
Croaker tilted his head, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, Dumbledore. If you view everything the man has said or done since he became an adult, has been…manipulative. I've noticed it and so has a bunch of others that whenever he says something about 'The Greater Good' someone is, has or will be getting screwed over. Plus, those of us who enjoy reading magical history have discovered that the phrase 'Greater Good' was the slogan for Grindlewald during the ramp up to World War Two and is supposedly written above the door to the prison he built."
"Interesting insight, Mr. Potter. What else do you have on this topic?" Croaker inquired.
"Well, my friend Hermione Granger of Ravenclaw House came up with a scenario and the explanation is rather chilling. Imagine walking into a room where you find two other people on opposite sides. On one side, you have someone sitting quietly, ignoring everything else in the room. On the other side, you have a lunatic banging on the wall screaming that 'he's gonna kill the next idiot who looks at him!' Who are you going to be paying more attention to? In the meantime, the quiet one sneaks up from behind and slits your throat. Grindlewald and most recently Voldemort have been the loud lunatic banging on the wall while Dumbledore has remained in the background as an educator, shaping the minds and actions of multiple generations of people. A word here, an introduction there and pretty soon everyone no longer questions Dumbledore because he's the one who got them their first job or introduced them to the love of their life."
Croaker thought pensively as Harry continued to explain the finer points, "People have been venerating him for so long for one thing that they've forgotten he's still a man and not a god. Then during the war with Voldemort, he led the fight to combat him and was used to the population just throwing their hands up and letting him make all the heavy decisions. Right now, he thinks he's Merlin's Gift to Magic and his actions when viewed through a muggleborn and raised eyes smacks of a Dark Light Lord. Someone who has been blinded by the good intentions and ideals of their original message and cannot face the fact that there might be someone else who has the ability to think on their own or come up with an idea that might work better than his."
"Is this why the two of you have had such friction in the past? Yes, I know about the article written by Ms. Skeeter regarding your journal." Croaker asked.
"I think so. He's just so stubborn that there might be another rising star and feels that in order to stay on top, he must trample others into submission."
"I will have to think more on this. Until then, good day Mr. Potter."